Miamians came together on May 1 as “The Longest Table” made its public debut in the city, uniting over 350 residents for a shared meal and conversation at The Underline.
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At a time when loneliness has been declared a public health crisis, the event served as the official kickoff to 10 Days of Connection — celebrating its 10th year in 2026 — which has engaged more than 317,000 residents during the past nine years.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General and founder of The Together Project, joined as guest of honor. A Miami native and graduate of Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Murthy has called loneliness one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time and is the author of Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World.
The stakes are real. Research shows loneliness increases the risk of heart disease by 29 percent, stroke by 32 percent, and dementia by 50 percent — with a health impact comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The Longest Table is a direct response to this challenge.
Designed as a large-scale community potluck, participants were encouraged to bring a dish to share and simply pull up a chair. The event was a partnership between Radical Partners, Elevate Cities, Knight Foundation, The Longest Table, and The Underline, timed with Mental Health Awareness Month to place Miami at the center of a growing national conversation around connection and belonging.
“The idea is simple, but the impact is powerful,” said Maryam Banikarim, co-founder of The Longest Table. You don’t need to wait for someone else to solve loneliness. It starts by sitting down with your neighbors and having a conversation.”
Originally a grassroots gathering in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, The Longest Table has grown into a national movement. Research shows that more than eight in 10 participants meet someone new, report a greater sense of belonging, and feel more inclined to take civic action after attending.
“Connection is the foundation for everything we want to build in our communities,” said Kim Coupounas, CEO of Elevate Cities. “Often the solution starts with something as simple and ancient as gathering around a table together.”
The initiative is part of Elevate Cities’ broader effort to turn individual experiences into a cohesive, citywide narrative of connection across Miami.
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For Knight Foundation, the event reflects its commitment to civic engagement and community resilience.
“This isn’t just about one event,” said Sara Chaves, Miami program officer at Knight Foundation. “It’s about building stronger, more resilient communities over time.”
“If you zoom out for a second, you’ll be reminded that we’re all human,” said Joan Godoy, CEO of Radical Partners. “The goal is to create spaces where people connect and move forward together — not despite our differences, but because of them.”
For more information, visit www.longesttablecommunity.org or follow @longesttablecommunity on social media.
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